Music, Mountain A Spectacular Combination

Sun., May 26, 1996

Don Adair Correspondent

A Silver Mountain concert begins with a beautiful mountain drive and ends with a spectacular gondola ride in the dark.

The music is practically a bonus.

But there wouldn’t be a concert without the music and after experimenting with formats, Silver Mountain management has settled on a low-key combination of country, oldies and blues.

Last year, a Blues, Brews and Reggae Microbrew Festival proved so popular that it’s back this year. And there’s also a new feature, a Silver Mountain Concert Fundraising Program that’s a fund-raiser for area nonprofit organizations.

In another new twist, a concert ticket entitles the holder to two free gondola rides, one on the day of the concert and the second on any day other than a concert day.

“We want to introduce people to the other side of the mountain, to the picnics and the bike-riding,” said spokesman Jim Volke.

But the real heart of the Silver Mountain experience is the intimate, 2,200-seat amphitheater. The grassy bowl features decent acoustics and unimpeded sight lines. Seven hundred seats down front comprise the reserved-seating section, while 15,000 general-admission seats line the slopes above.

Here’s a lineup of this year’s shows:

Patty Loveless, Friday, July 19, 7 p.m., $29.50, $22.50. Loveless’ first appearance as a headliner should show why many consider her the country’s top contemporary female vocalist.

Blood Sweat and Tears, featuring David Clayton-Thomas, Friday, July 20, 7 p.m., $26.50, $19.50. Here’s a blast from the past. This horn-based band had its greatest successes with the leather-lunged Clayton-Thomas at the helm.

Blues, Brews and Reggae Microbrew Festival, Saturday, Aug. 3, 1 p.m., $16.95. What a natural: music on the mountaintop with a great selection of area microbrews. Mumbo Jumbo, rhythm and blues, and Jumbalassy, reggae, are the featured bands for this afternoon affair.

The Robert Cray Band, Sunday, Aug. 4, 7 p.m., $36.50, $29.50. The Northwest’s favorite bluesman makes a midsummer stop on the mountain.

Merle Haggard, Saturday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m., $29.50, $22.50. The Hag recently released “1996,” one of his best efforts of recent years. With two recent tribute CDs and a host of accolades, Haggard’s show may be infused with a renewed sense of spirit and energy for this show.

Tracy Byrd, Saturday, Aug. 17, 7 p.m., $29.50, $22.50. Byrd fans will be delighted to see this talented neo-traditionalist in his first full-length local appearance. Last seen as an opener for Reba McEntire, Byrd is riding a hot streak.

The Classic Rock Allstars, Saturday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m., $18. Area nonprofits can make money selling tickets to this show. The Allstars include Pete Rivera, formerly of Rare Earth; Sugar Loaf’s Jerry Corbetta; Mike Pinera of Iron Butterfly and Blues Image; and Dennis Noda, once of Cannibal and the Headhunters. Nonprofits seeking information about participating can contact Volke at (208) 783-1111, Ext. 214.

Silver Mountain is a comfortable venue: All the essential amenities are located at the amphitheater’s perimeter, so it’s possible to get dinner, grab a beer and line up for the Porta-Potties without ever being out of earshot - and eye shot - of the music.

Evenings on the mountain can be cool, so jackets and blankets are recommended. Another tip: There’s only one way off the mountain and the line to the gondola can be long. One solution is a good book and a warm seat in the lodge until the crowd has thinned out.

Tickets to all shows are now available at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets or from the Silver Mountain Box Office, (208) 783-1111.

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